Preparing your home for sale

Exterior:

• Clean up oil spots on driveway. Apply a fresh coat of black driveway sealer.
• Remove clutter, garbage, dead branches from yard
• Mow, trim and fertilize the lawn. Remove grass clippings.
• Edge walkways & trim hedges and shrubs
•  Weed flower beds and replace dead plants and trees.
• Keep driveway and walkways free of snow and ice.
• Clear gutters of leaves and debris.
• Power wash your siding or hire professional.
• Fences: Replace missing or broken slats. Repair broken hinges and paint the fence if necessary.
• Paint front door, mailbox and house numbers if needed.
•  Make sure all doors work properly without squeaks.
• Replace unsightly mailbox or rusty doorbell.
•  Make sure door bell works.
• Power wash or paint/stain front step.
• Replace any missing or rotten floor boards/railings on decks.
•  Make sure all deck railings are secure.
• Clean all windows inside and out.
• Repair/replace broken screens on doors.
• Paint any windows, doors, shutters that require it.
• Keep garbage and green bins out of front yard. Empty and clean.
• Be sure porch lights are working. Add new door mat and flowering plants.
• Remove rusty BBQ and extra propane tanks. Remove broken or rusty outdoor furniture.
• Replace any missing roof shingles.
• Check outdoor electrical plugs. Repair if needed.
• Clean out all sheds. Remove clutter.

Interior:

• Remove all garbage and recycling
• Take recycled bottles to depot. Remove once a week.
• Remove all clutter and furniture that you don't use.
• Clear paths to all windows, appliances, furnace.
• Move any items blocking view of basement exterior walls.
• Shampoo/replace any stained carpet.
• Replace any cracked floor tiles.
• Clean blinds or draperies. Dust shelves.
• Clean air exchanger filter and outside vents.
• Clean exterior of furnace. Clean or paint over rust/water stains on floor.
• Have furnace serviced and cleaned.
• Stairways cleared of objects and obstacles.
• Clear kitchen and bathroom counter tops
• Repair/replace leaky faucets or toilets
• Freshly clean all linens, draperies and shower curtains.
• If you are a smoker, clean any nicotine stained items thoroughly
• Clean the basement and garage.
•  Replace all lights bulbs that don't work
•  Replace any missing covers for electrical switches or plugs
• All appliances and sinks should be spotless.
• Clear counters, drawers and cabinets of unnecessary items.
• Put away all dishes. Don't leave dishes drying by the sink.
• Be conscious of odors caused by dampness, hampers, garbage and various foods.
• Caulk around tub, showers if needed.
• Take 50% of your closet contents and put them away.
• Repaint a neutral color any walls that are strong colors. Ask Realtor for suggestions.
• Touch up trim paint.
• Repair any doors that stick or don't work properly.
• Place furniture so that traffic can flow easily from room to room.
• Scale down family pictures, remove trophies and reduce knick knacks.
•  If you have a gas fireplace make sure you have gas and that fireplace is operational.
• Remove "ALL" wallpaper and borders and repaint in neutral colors.
• Replace any damaged vinyl flooring with ceramic flooring if possible.